Reducing T-Bird Weight

[Scott Sauna]

I have an Epiphone Thunderbird and it is my favorite bass of all time. I really wish to gig with it soon but there is a problem. It is heavy as a rock. Maybe not 12+ pounds but I am small and my back doesn't hold up very long against it. I need advice on mods that could help reduce the weight of the bass and make it easier to play with for long periods.

I have thought of replacing the tuners or bridge. I have a wide leather strap but it doesn't reduce enough weight to make it gig-able.

[remainthesame]

hit the gym

[Doctor J]

And one of these

http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Waves-G.../dp/B0002GZBLU

[1stnamebassist]

I use a wide leather strap.

[Wagz]

Tbirds are monsters. Don't waste money on bridges and tuners since they're a relatively small percentage of the bass' total weight. A wider strap and gradually getting used to the weight are your best options if you really want to gig your Tbird. The mahogany body and massive headstock are what's hurting your back and shoulders but they're also part of the TBird sound (and experience). My Epi Pro V is by far my heaviest bass so I use two basses and switch to the lighter one when I need a break.
There are lighter Birds out there but not at Epiphone prices. If you have the $$$, a Mike Lull will weigh less and play better but that's a big step up from an Epiphone.

[Ian_Flash]

You can get a harness-type strap that supports the bass' weight on your waist instead of shoulders. Check out the ZZ Top "Sharp Dressed Man" Video where Billy Gibbons spins the guitar in front of him. You can also get a stand that will support the bass while you stand behind and play it.

[KeithAlanK]

Originally Posted by Wagz

Don't waste money on bridges and tuners since they're a relatively small percentage of the bass' total weight.
I use two basses and switch to the lighter one when I need a break.

This is great advice.

[Wallace320]

... is to luthier modify it by extractin' some of wing's mahogany
from its back

I own three of them:
Standard Vintage sunburst bolt-on one
Classic Alpine white neckthrubody one
Pro Vintage sunburst himass bridge one

and they're not the heaviest basses I own, which are both Yamaha Attitude limited II (lava red and all black) and Ibanez Atk200.

But to extract mahogany from behind its wings, even if a bit substantial, is the only serious way to drastically reduce its overall weight without compromise (at least, not too much) its (trademark) tone

Cheers,
Wallace

[T-Bird]

Hi.

The older IV?

My -03 isn't mahogany, at least not any mahogany I've ever encountered, except for the raised mid section veneer.
That's mahogany.

The rest of the body on mine is alder IIRC.

It's very light wood so even this:



Didn't really make a difference one way or another.

Regards
Sam

[Arial Bender]

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Hi.

The older IV?

My -03 isn't mahogany, at least not any mahogany I've ever encountered, except for the raised mid section veneer.
That's mahogany.

The rest of the body on mine is alder IIRC.

It's very light wood so even this:



Didn't really make a difference one way or another.

Regards
Sam

Well I guess I won't do that to mine then, obviously not going to help neck dive.

[thisSNsucks]

Originally Posted by Wagz

Tbirds are monsters. Don't waste money on bridges and tuners since they're a relatively small percentage of the bass' total weight. A wider strap and gradually getting used to the weight are your best options if you really want to gig your Tbird. The mahogany body and massive headstock are what's hurting your back and shoulders but they're also part of the TBird sound (and experience). My Epi Pro V is by far my heaviest bass so I use two basses and switch to the lighter one when I need a break.
There are lighter Birds out there but not at Epiphone prices. If you have the $$$, a Mike Lull will weigh less and play better but that's a big step up from an Epiphone.

Guess I lucked out. My '79 Gibson Thunderbird is only 8.5lbs. I put Gotoh Res-O-Lite tuners to eliminate the neck dive.


To the OP. I'd recommend a wide strap and relocating the strap button to the back of the neck if you haven't already.

[TVC15]

I've gave up trying to play mine while standing, only use it for practice sitting down.
Great looking instruments but horrible to play!

[jaibeau]

Lull T4 or T5, problem solved

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Originally Posted by Arial Bender

Well I guess I won't do that to mine then, obviously not going to help neck dive.

IMHO don't, at least on mine the body is much lighter than a J for example.

There's also very little mass reduction material north of the center of balance in the T-Bird body, and obviously no leverage to speak of, so all You would likely to do is to make the neck dive worse.

Originally Posted by TVC15

Great looking instruments but horrible to play!

There may be some folks who disagrees .

With a right strap and a relocated strap button it isn't any more uncomfortable to play than any other bass.

Certain Fenders actually dive more IME.

Regards
Sam

[Gaolee]

Birds are great instruments if you understand them. A bolt on 'Bird is a great mod platform. I had one and regretted letting it go. Now I have a neck through. It has been defretted an I took out the activr circuit and rewired it with Alumitone pickups. It is pretty unique, but it has the amazingly comfotable 'Bird shape, is not heavy, and sounds great. All things are possible.

[Scott Sauna]

My problem really isn't with the neck dive. That problem was corrected with the leather strap. My strap button is located where the new t-birds buttons are located so that problem is also solved. My issue is that perhaps the tuners are too heavy and that is causing shoulder strain.

[1stnamebassist]

I find my Epi classic 4 more comfortable to play than the Ric 4003 I recently sold. I found the Ric had a lot of weight in the body and it killed my shoulder. I think the Bird may weigh a tad more but the weight is better distributed through the whole bass. It doesn't neck dive at all either. And I find it plays better than any fender I have owned or tried.

[Grissle]

Well then, you can lose a good pound with a tuner/bridge change, it may help?

[olivexwka]

the bass while you stand behind and play it.

[two fingers]

Originally Posted by Scott Sauna

My problem really isn't with the neck dive. That problem was corrected with the leather strap. My strap button is located where the new t-birds buttons are located so that problem is also solved. My issue is that perhaps the tuners are too heavy and that is causing shoulder strain.

How much does a set of tuners weigh? I'm not doubting that you're suffering or you wouldn't have brought this issue to us. But with my (albeit limited) knowledge of physics, I can't for the life of me figure out how a few ounces, even using the leverage of the length of the neck, could cause such pain. I've sold lots of sets of tuners in my years working for a chain store. I have unpacked and stocked a bunch as well. The point is, I have a pretty good grasp on what standard tuners weigh. I just don't see that alone making such a difference. However, that being said, it's a stupid simple mod so why not give it a try? A screw driver should get it done.

Here's a question. Do you rest your right arm on the bass? If so, that alone could be pulling down pretty hard on it. Other than that, or routing out some wood in the body, I got nothing.